Nisha Catron: On the Interstellar Highway to Everywhere

The year is 2150, and the space craft from the planet of Gantaria races across the galaxy, its black silk stretched into infinity. Inside the mothership’s main module, the traveler has gathered an assortment of discarded relics recovered from an earlier exploratory space cull: a child’s stuffed toy, Rubik’s Cube, a phonograph and the Holy Grail of all possessions: the Golden Record originally stored in NASA’s 1977 Voyager 1 space probe. The time capsule is filled with images and spoken greetings from the inhabitants of a faraway world that make up more than 55 different languages, as well as gorgeously woven melodies, including sounds of nature. These beholden treasures draw the alien to its vortex and in return, compels her to seek out from whence they came: Planet Earth.

Given the aforementioned description of events is purely fictional and a scene from the film Voyager 2150, one would be forgiven if they found it incredulous to wrap their head around the fact that the otherworldly goddess in the movie is none other than Nisha Catron, La Mesa resident and longtime member of Calamity, the all-female folk/country rock/acoustic ensemble that’s been nominated for a San Diego Music Award on multiple occasions. Nisha has worked with the legendary band for the last 13 years and is herself a veteran of the music industry, having performed with Calamity at Art Around Adams Festival, Indie Fest, and any number of bars and venues around town…that is, when she’s not appearing in movies as an extraterrestrial collecting “space junk.”

Director Tane McClure, close friend and colleague of Nisha’s, wrote, edited and produced the screenplay for Voyager 2150, which was based on the song “Voyager” that Nisha had collaborated on with producer Josquin Des Pres (Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, and notably, Elton John’s lyricist Bernie Taupin). McClure is an accomplished actress, filmmaker, and director with more than 60 Film Festival Awards to her credit and the daughter of Doug McClure, the late actor who starred in the American western TV series The Virginian. It’s the backstory of how she and Nisha eventually teamed up in film and music that’s as fascinating as watching Nisha portray a Gantarian from outer space on the movie screen.

“Nisha and I have been friends for many years. We met when we both were in an all-girl band called Underwraps. I thought she was a talented musician, and I loved her soulful voice. We instantly became close friends. Years later, we are blessed to still be working together,” Tane said.

The bond shared between Nisha and Tane extended beyond the perimeter of their friendship and developed into a symbiotic, successful working partnership. Tane went on to direct several of Nisha’s music videos, including “Angels Come to Take You Home,” written as a tribute to Nisha’s mother, Gloria, who passed away in 2006, and the soul-stirring “Keep Me Warm,” featuring guitar maverick Peter Bolland (The Coyote Problem), who unleashed a torrent of guts and glory, fired on all six cylinders reverb, into the rocker ballad. So, when it came time to film Voyager 2150, a cinematic idea born out of inspiration from the song Nisha had composed, the two women wasted no time in bringing it to fruition.

Described as a “Music and Space Odyssey,” the movie garnered more than 30 Film Festival Awards, including Best Science Fiction, Best Actress, and Best Original Song. It must be noted that Nisha’s cousin, Kathryn R. Olson, was cast as the Earth Nomad, whose riveting performance on the violin added depth and soul-fire to her scene. The tried-and-true adage, “Blood is thicker than water,” staunchly confirmed this truth.

Nisha and Tane also partnered together in Seance Games: Metaxu, a 2024 horror-thriller (starring Eric Roberts and Tane McClure), which follows a group of social media stars who become involved in a dangerous online seance game, known as Metaxu, in order to attract more followers. It’s the deadly outcome of their decision to do so that ultimately sports disastrous consequences for the unsuspecting group. Nisha’s character, Sally Ferguson, is a kind of hippy Earth Mother, who plays the guitar and wears a flower in her hair, which adds an organic touch to the movie.

“Magic happens during our filmings, things that are somewhat spiritual and that our collaboration is truly meant to be. Tane’s taught me so much, and I have to credit her for lifting me up, time and time again, as an artist and as a friend,” Nisha said.

Before Nisha ever ventured into the arena of acting, one must revisit her life from the very beginning. Born June 2, 1958, in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was introduced to music at a young age through the matrilineal side of her family. Her mother sang Jazz and R&B classics and played a host of Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, and Blood, Sweat & Tears on the turntable in their home. Nisha’s grandmother favored more traditional “old-timey songs and sounded like Peggy Lee,” Nisha said.

The years rolled on and when it was time to join the ranks of the employed, Nisha wasn’t sure where the winds would carry her. It was during a walkabout in downtown Cincinnati, when she spotted a large sign in a window of a shop that read: JOIN THE NAVY. IT’S AN ADVENTURE! Nisha saw that as a sign, heeded the invitation, and, later, marched on over to the recruitment office and enlisted in the Navy. She survived the rigors of boot camp training and then was sent to Lakehurst, New Jersey, where she worked as a parachute rigger. While in the Navy, she wrote a lot of songs and was able to hone and sharpen her musical craft. Fortunately for Nisha, her next and last tour of duty escorted her to Southern California, where she’s been ever since.

Once Nisha’s stint in the Navy came to an end, she decided to pursue a higher education and enrolled as a full-time student at San Diego State University, where she studied musical theater. While there, she composed the background music for Frontiers, a period piece set in the 1800s that dealt with the challenges of women traveling through the open frontier, as they made their way out West.

“I studied musical theater in college, so my acting really began in theater. It was later on that my career segued into film when I went to Hollywood to attend the Musicians Institute and did background work,” Nisha said.

Long before Seance Games: Metaxu and Voyager 2150 were ever on Nisha’s radar, her first onscreen role was in Witchcraft IV: The Virgin Heart, a low-budget horror flick, where she played a waitress. She also wrote and sang the theme song, “Forbidden Fruit, which was lip-synced by lead actress Julie Strain. Shortly afterward, Nisha took an extended break from film work and “auditioned for a few theater pieces and focused mainly on music,” Nisha said. “It wasn’t until I collaborated on the music videos with Tane and, later, Voyager 2150 that I went back into filmmaking again.”

In the late ’70s, Lady Destiny led Nisha to the intersection of happenstance and romance. It was during that season she met Sylvester Bowen, who co-owned and operated Freedom Guitar with his brother, Dewey. The business served as an integral hub for working musicians, locally and across the country, and was located in downtown San Diego, until it relocated to El Cajon Blvd, where it remained open for 35 years before closing its doors for good in 2018. Nisha recounted the moment she first crossed paths with Sylvester and what transpired after their initial introduction.

“Ves and I met in 1979, when he owned Freedom Guitar, although he’s since retired. We became friends, but then life happened. Later, we reunited in 1998, got together for good and married in 2013. We’ve been together now for nearly 30 years.”

Life and all of its rich pageantry graced the couple abundantly. Nisha became a mother to Ves’ two daughters, Sydney and Vanessa, both of whom she helped raise. She calls herself, Mama Nisha, a sweet moniker that suits her perfectly as the matriarchal figure of the family, and with the addition of a baby girl born earlier this year to Sydney; Nisha and Ves are now grandparents. When asked how she feels about all of the blessings that have greatly impacted her life in ways she never imagined, Nisha just smiled, her blue eyes sparkling with a serenity that comes with the recognition of the gift of family.

“Ves and I continue to be creative together and support one another through everything. I have a granddaughter now, Vivianna, who Sydney had in February. Vanessa’s son, Bowen Bradley, is due in September. So many beautiful, enriching things are going on in my life at this time,” Nisha said.

It’s this same outpouring of gratitude and spirit that helped strengthen the dynamics of the couple’s professional relationship early on. They realized they shared a common interest in music, which led them to channel their artistic creativity into a tangible force and call themselves Darlin’ and Rose. The musical duo crafted the kind of “neo-traditional country, honky tonk, with a touch-of-the-blues” magic, which meticulously defined their sound. Darlin’ and Rose released two outstanding albums: the self-titled Darlin’ and Rose in 2001, and Tomorrow, Yesterday in 2002. Their song, “Honky Tonk Eyes” made it all the way to Number One on the World Independent music charts.

That same year, in 2002, Nisha embarked on a solo journey, away from the duties of Darlin’ and Rose, and released Step into My World, an amalgamation of electronica, pop and modern rock, which showcased the singer’s more daring, experimental side. The album featured the electrifying track, “Step into My World,” which earned Nisha and Clay Colgin (Men of Clay/Dogs with Masks) the January 2005 round in VH-1’s Song of the Year competition.

In 2012, Nisha shifted gears and took the road less traveled to find herself, emotionally and spiritually, on the triumphant Further South. It’s on this album that parlays all of her passions, fears, and vulnerabilities into a masterpiece—a kind of redeeming grace for the heart and soul. The following year, Nisha teamed up with Sven-Erik Seaholm and Brooke Mackintosh to form the one-off project STLA. The power trio treaded into territory that allowed them to flex their electronica/experimental musical muscle, with the end result a deliciously delectable slice of ear candy for the auditory senses. It’s the ending track, “Dance Your Way Out,” a thumping, 100 beats-per-minute, disco-infused synergy that beckons all to the dance floor and get your groove on.

Fast forward to 2026, and Nisha is definitely witnessing the fruits of her labor from the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to her craft, to yielding the most beautiful, bountiful harvest. She just returned from Bardstown, Kentucky, where she recently wrapped up the filming of her scenes in the upcoming motion picture Ethan Almighty: Ethan’s Law. Directed by Tane McClure and starring Sean Patrick Flanery, Selma Blair, Brandon Routh, Trevor Donovan, and Emmy Award-winning Kelsey Grammer, Ethan’s Law is based on the true story of Ethan, a dog that was severely abused at the hands of its owner. Flanery plays Jeff Callaway, the kind-hearted Samaritan who adopts the Cane Corso and becomes his caretaker. Together, he and Ethan inspire a movement that eventually leads to a radical reform in the State of Kentucky’s anti-cruelty laws.

Nisha plays Dr. Jill, the real-life veterinarian, who helped save Ethan from the brink of death. When asked to give a brief overview of the film, she was visibly moved to tears.

“It’s such a beautiful story about a dog that was left for dead. It was horribly abused and to the point when they first found him, they didn’t think he was going to make it. I will be working alongside Sean Patrick Flanery. I’m such a fan of his work, and I’m honored to be able to work with such great actors. By the way, Ves will be playing Senator Henderson in the movie. He’s a really great actor,” Nisha said proudly. That same sentiment can also be applied to Nisha, whose proficiency and natural talents as a top-rate actor don’t go unnoticed by the one who’s overseeing every aspect of this powerful film.

“I’m excited to work with Nisha again on Ethan Almighty: Ethan’s Law. I know that, as an actress, she’ll give me one-hundred-percent. Nisha accepts the challenge of each opportunitywith everything she has, creatively, artistically, and spiritually. I’m very grateful to call her my friend,” Tane said.

Not only does 2026 continue to be a banner year for Nisha, she’s looking ahead with anticipation of the release of her next album, Heart Communication, which is being produced by Josquin Des Pres. There’s also a future album in the works for Calamity, with the band members currently writing all new material. Having accomplished so much in her life and career, she realizes one doesn’t acquire a certain level of success solely on their own without the unwavering support of others. It’s the unsung heroes championing the artist in their quest to fulfill their personal goals that humbles Nisha and leads her to publicly recognize those who’ve been there for her, unconditionally, in every step of her journey.

“My friends, Christina Porterfield, and Gayle De Philippi, who’ve both walked with me during the darkest of days, were there at many of my performances, cheering me on since the early ’80s. Years of laughter and good friends counsel,” Nisha said.

When Nisha was asked what’s next on the horizon, the enthusiasm was palpable in her response.

“Everything! Just creating and doing more film work. I’m never going to stop. I have a feeling my role in Ethan Almighty: Ethan’s Law will lift me up into whatever the next role is going to be for me. I don’t know what it is, but I have some ideas. I love acting! I have a real passion for it, a love affair with it. It’s broken my heart, just as much as music has broken my heart, but it’s given me such satisfaction and joy,” Nisha said.

Call it Kismet. Call it cosmic or simply never losing sight of the finish line, but Nisha is definitely riding the interstellar highway to everywhere.